Muscle Wastage

[sherbert]

Sherbert is now 13 1/2 and has always been very active and still is. Since Christmas, we've noticed that he has lost a lot of muscle in his back legs , sometimes his back end goes when he's running and turns quickly. Sherb has arthritis in most of his joints and he also has a form of Parkinsons in his back legs.

Is it possible to get muscle back on him or is it time to face up to the reality that he's an old man

[Flaperoo]

All of my dogs as they got older suffered from muscle wastage, particularly in their back legs and would wobble and fall a bit. They never appeared to be in pain with it though just a bit surprised when the back end wasn't working as good as it should

It sounds like Sherbert has to accept he's an old man , but he clearly still loves life which is great

Maryx

[Letty's Mum]

Sorry hun but Sherbert is an old man, whether you like it or not

Just let him carry on enjoying life, and try not to think about it.

As long as he's comfortable, he won't give a sh*t

Helen x

[julies]

Check out TTouch -that can help bring an awareness back if for whatever reason they're not using their body as before- chiropractic followed immediately if possible by accupuncture (to set it) can really help and keep those creaky niggles down.

Gentle hydrotherapy at a good pool who won't over do it for him can also really help .. my friends got a Lab/Pointer cross that's always swum in canals and rivers and is still going strong at 15 1/2.

You can also get a pair of hair scrunchies and put them on his hind legs to give him an awareness but take them off after a few seconds as he'll be using muscles he hasn't for a while and you don;'t want to overtax him Build up the scrunchies time and you can also swop them onto other legs but do take it slowly :@)

My Charlie lost muscle tone coming out of the winter but the chiropractor found some seriious tweaks in his neck and shoulder, it took two visits but he's back looking great and there seems to be an improvement in his muscling

Good luck with Sherbert

Julie xx

[vickyb]

I took River for deep tissue massage when he got like that and she showed me how to massage his legs before walks in a specific firm way which got the blood flowing into the muscle and you could see a difference in how the muscles stood out. Then after a few minutes walking to make sure he really was warmed up she advised walking him uphill or up steps to make them work - obviously only if it was within his abilities and didn't over tire him. It did seem to help but takes a lot of time. Ultimately tho his back legs just got too weak.

He didn't have hydro because it would have upset him too much but I am a big fan of it if the dog takes to it and it's by someone who really knows what they're doing and as Julies says doesn't push them too hard, and it needs to be nice warm water. I think you can be between a rock and a hard place if arthritis limits exercise too but it hydro is often good for the joints.
It's not easy is it

[deborahburt]

Welcome to the wrinklie, crumblies club Sherbet.

[sherbert]

Thank you all for your replies

Will definately look into the TTouch We've tried him with hydro for his arthritis but he really didn't like it and we didn't see any great improvement so we stopped. I'm reluctant to start it again as I think he's 13 and I just want him to be happy

[julies]

I'm happy to help .. If you want me to or you can't find anyone closer I'll do my best to describe the ttouches for you

J xx